Organizers of Super Bowl LX are pushing back against circulating reports that U.S. immigration officials plan to conduct enforcement operations during the NFL championship game.
In a memo shared with local officials this week, the Bay Area Super Bowl Host Committee said Immigration and Customs Enforcement has “no planned ICE immigration enforcement operations associated with SBLX,” referring to the Feb. 8 game in Santa Clara.
“Public safety is our top priority for Super Bowl LX,” the memo said. It stressed that any federal personnel present will be focused on security, not immigration enforcement.
The Department of Homeland Security has said in recent days that it will deploy federal assets to assist local and state authorities in keeping the event safe, but officials declined to describe specific plans or personnel roles.
Clarifying Security Plans
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reiterated that security for Super Bowl LX is a multi-agency effort. “Security is obviously one of the things we focus on the most,” he said at a press briefing. “It’s a SEAR [Special Event Assessment Rating] 1 level event that involves unique assets at the federal level, state level and the local level all working together.”
Goodell added that such operations are consistent with preparations for major international sporting events, including the Olympics and World Cup.
NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier also addressed concerns, saying the league and its partners aim to ensure a safe environment for fans, teams and staff. Lanier reassured that ICE will not be part of immigration enforcement during Super Bowl festivities.
Jeffrey Brannigan, a DHS official, emphasized federal law enforcement’s narrow focus. “Our efforts will center on event security,” he said, adding that involvement does not include immigration sweeps or deportation actions.
Earlier statements by senior Homeland Security officials contributed to public anxiety. In late 2025, a DHS adviser said ICE enforcement at the Super Bowl would proceed as a “directive from the president,” though that assertion was not followed by formal plans.
The heightened scrutiny follows nationwide protests over immigration enforcement after several controversial shootings involving federal agents. Critics argued the possibility of ICE operations at one of the nation’s most visible events could heighten fear among immigrant communities.
Super Bowl attendees and local leaders welcomed the host committee’s clarification, though some community groups remain vigilant.
“We were told there would be no deportation operations,” San Jose Councilman Peter Ortiz said during a rally earlier in the week. “People deserve to feel safe.”